For better or worse, Jon Gruden will always be connected to the Las Vegas Raiders and will have a strong voice when it comes to the team. He did have two stints as the franchise’s head coach and helped guide four playoff teams in eight seasons with the club, if you give him credit for the 2021 season, after all.
On Friday, Gruden, who has been working for Barstool Sports since Novemember 2024, recently appeared on FS1’s “Wake Up Barstool” show and gave his prediction for how the AFC West will unfold in the 2026 season, giving the Raiders a harsh reality in the process (h/t Raiders Lead on X).
“I’m going to pick Denver just because of the continuity,” ‘Chucky’ explained. “Head coach [Sean Payton], quarterback [Bo Nix], almost all their starters are back on both sides of the ball, and they’re going to get a jolt from [wide receiver Jaylen] Waddle. I like the Chargers in second, and I like the Chiefs to finish third. But I think all three of those teams can be playoff teams, and I think the Raiders are going to improve. But unfortunately for the Silver and Black, this is a very tough division with some established coaches and quarterbacks.”
Gruden’s comments are fair and shouldn’t come as much of a surprise. It’s no secret that 2026 is expected to be a rebuilding year in Las Vegas, as the team pivoted to a youth movement in the offseason. Also, the AFC West has routinely been one of the best divisions in the NFL over the last few years. So, the former head coach isn’t off the mark, as most people seem to expect to see improvement from the Raiders despite the team not improving its standing in the division from last year.
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